Tom Rachman's bestselling author status will continue with The Italian Teacher. I was completely immersed in this family drama, and admired Pinch's determination to maintain a relationship with his distant father, a famous artist. One of my 2018 favorites, so far!Recommended by Kim S.

Gingerbread begins as a somewhat standard family story, but promptly unfolds into an imaginative tale of a mother and daughter's long family history, at the center of which is an inherited gingerbread recipe. Don't miss this satisfying, unconventional story by award-winning author Helen Oyeyemi.Recommended by Kim S.

Stephen Hawking's final book presents some of the biggest questions and most important issues before us today: Will the human race survive? Is there a God? His brief answers will challenge your thinking and bring you out of your bubble.Recommended by Kim S.

In Pieces is an intimate look at Sally Field's life, filled with stories about her career and family. She also shares raw, honest details about her relationship with her mother, whose death prompted her to start writing this account. You'll appreciate every beautiful word, coming straight from the heart.Recommended by Kim S.

It's a treat to experience the humor and satire in DeWitt's latest novel about a family's fall from high society and its bemusing mother-son relationship. You will become emotionally attached to Frances and Malcolm, wanting to steer them away from self-destruction — but that story would be far less interesting than French Exit.Recommended by Kim S.

It can be challenging to listen to the events of the day, wondering if there is truth in what is being shared by news outlets amidst the political chaos. In The Death of Truth, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Michiko Kakutani takes us through the decline of truth, which started years ago with foreshadowing by many writers including George Orwell, and offers thoughts on the path forward.Recommended by Kim S.

I was so excited to read The Line Becomes a River having heard Cantu's story on This American Life. This firsthand account, from a very well-educated Border Patrol agent, is a compassionate view of the humans on both sides of the wall and their motivations. Even if you've heard all you need to know about immigration and U.S. policy, Cantu's perspective brings you as close as you can get to being there.Recommended by Kim S.

We have over 39 trillion microbial cells in and on our bodies. What is the value of all of these bacteria, and should they be destroyed? With humor and intellect, Ed Yong provides a wonderful look at how microbes "contribute to our lives in profound and wide-reaching ways."Recommended by Kim S.

Debut author Lesley Nneka Arimah shares 12 amazing short stories set in the US and Nigeria. Her fresh, wonderful, creative writing is packed with layers of complicated emotions and themes that will make you think.Recommended by Kim S.

Tales of Two Americas is an amazing, heart-wrenching collection of stories and poems that highlight the vast inequality in the United States. Dozens of my favorite authors — Rebecca Solnit, Anthony Doerr, Karen Russell, Roxane Gay, Héctor Tobar, and more — share deep insight into the obstacles that interfere with achieving the American dream. There's no better time to increase our understanding of these issues.Recommended by Kim S.

Stephen Florida is a wonderful, refreshing book with especially intimate access to Stephen's loneliness and obsession. The flow of the book between narrative and train of thought creates an interesting and unpredictable experience. And then there's the underlying suspense — will he win the NCAA Championship? From the first paragraph, Habash's powerful writing pulled me in and kept me captivated.Recommended by Kim S.

As a fan of Lepucki's earlier work, California, I was excited to read Woman No. 17. I found that this book is just as innovative as her last. The story follows the path of the complicated Lady Daniels, a writer; Seth, her adult mute son; and S, the nanny for Lady's toddler, Devin. All of these characters interact in unexpected ways that twist and turn, creating thrill and suspense that had me glued to the pages. This is the... (read more)Recommended by Kim S.

The Sound of Gravel really wasn't on my radar, but my mom asked me to bring her a copy on my next visit. Of course I opened the book to see what had captured her interest, and I was absorbed from the first page. I have read plenty of stories about love, resilience, and courage, but The Sound of Gravel stands out as one of the best. I love how Ruth Wariner tells her story — in an honest, straightforward way and from her... (read more)Recommended by Kim S.

Yes, an 880-page novel can be daunting to almost anyone, but once you start reading, each and every page is so satisfying and absorbing, you don't care how many pages you've read and how many you have left.Auster is an amazing storyteller with sentences that captivate, and the clever approach of telling four stories simultaneously about the same characters is brilliant. Definitely put this on your 2017 "to read" list.

I picked up In the Country We Love with little awareness of Diane Guerrero's acting fame (maybe I've watched one episode of Orange Is the New Black?). Guerrero's amazing narrative — in the same league as The Sound of Gravel, my #2 pick — is a truly heartbreaking story of her immigrant family being torn apart, and her determination to remain in the United States and raise herself at age 14. This account of Guerrero's... (read more)Recommended by Kim S.

Raymond Champs is on a quest to gather data to support his theory that there is an epidemic of clinical depression. His survey tool, he thinks, will deliver the answer. Why Are You So Sad? is a dark, witty book that gives us an uncomfortable yet hilarious view of human behavior and the senselessness we encounter every day. When was the last time you felt happy (survey question #4)? When I was reading Jason Porter's debut novel.Recommended by Kim S.

Erdrich's writing runs deep with 14 acclaimed novels, including The Round House (winner of the National Book Award) and The Plague of Doves (a Pulitzer finalist). While it's likely you've read her more recent titles, to get the keenest sense of Erdrich and her heritage, it's well worth it to return to the first novel of her Native American series, Love Medicine. Winner of the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award,... (read more)Recommended by Kim S.

All My Puny Sorrows has a force that pulls you into the story and immerses you so completely that it's difficult to put the book down. Yoli's voice is honest and raw, telling Toews's semi-autobiographical story of heartbreak and loss, but her sharp wit helps take the edge off the pain. You will appreciate every page of this unforgettable novel.Recommended by Kim S.